The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

The Commonweale of Ragouse.

THE COMMONWEALE OF RAGOVS.

The Contents.

[ D] RAgouse in old time called Epidaurum, and of the scituation of Epidaurum where they did worship Esculapius. 2. Beginning of the word Sclauonia, the bignesse, length, breadth, climat, and the chiefe townes. 3. Ragouse a towne of Sclauo∣nia, tributarie to the Turke. Her scituation and Islands. 4. The soile bearing ••••••ue, fruits, fat fish, trees laden with oysters which they gather euery three yeares. 5. Gra∣•••••• Island full of gardens, of orange trees, lymons, and Pomegranets. Langoste another Island ••••••••ng in oliues, and grapes, and famous for the fishing of sparts. 6. The auncient inhabi∣•••••• Ragouse, barbarous and cruell by nature, and inclyning to the humour of the Scythians, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thence they are discended. 7. Custome of them of Ragouse to go with halfe their heads 〈◊〉〈◊〉 co••trarie to the Hongarians. Louers of equalitie. The manner of their apparrell, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which are most in price. 8. Of their mariages and alliances, limitted by the lawe to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ousand duckats. 9. Of their language and enstruction in learning both diuine and ••u∣•••••••• 10. Riches of the Ragousens consisting in trafficke. 11. Their small forces. 12. The ••••••••••ment of Ragouse conformable to that of Venice: and first of the great Councell. 13. Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••egad••, annuall magistrats and their iurisdiction. 14. Of the pettie Councell, the charge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••tinuance of this magistrat. 15. Of the election of the Rector, chiefe of all the Coun∣••••••. Of the fiue Pouruaiers. 17. Of six Consuls instituted for ciuile causes in the first 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 18. Of the fiue criminall Iudges. 19. Of the Officers vpon the arte of wooll. 20. Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of thirtie appointed for causes of appeale. 21. Of fiue men called Pourue••ors, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the health, and their authoritie. 22. Of the Officers appointed for customes. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Chamberlaines. 24. Of three Treasurers appointed for the custodie of the publicke 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and of Orphans money. 25. Of the Officers of the armorie. 26. Other Officers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the sale of wheat and wine, and for the reparation of the waies. 27. Of the six Cap∣•••••• of the night. 28. Of the Notarie, or Secretarie. 29. Of the Chauncellors. 30. Of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Captaines and Earles sent vnto gouernments, without the towne of Ragouse. 31. Of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Proc••••at••••s of the Cathedrall Church of Ragouse.

[ I] BEfore I ingage my selfe farther in this discourse, I desire to take from [ A] them that shall read this worke, all confusion by the equiuocation of names, which might make them erre in the very beginning. For seeing that we haue vndertaken to speake of Ragouse, which in old time was called Epidaurum, and that there were other townes of the same name, it is fit to shew which this is, and not to confound it indiscrectly with the rest. You must therefore vnderstand, that along the sea betwixt. Venice and Corinth, there are three Epidauri, whereof the first lies vpon the gulfe of Venice, and is that which we now call Ragouse: the other is in [ B] the countrie of Laconia, in the gulfe of Napoli, this towne is now called Maluasia: and the third towne of Epidaurum, is that in the gulfe of Engia, or Sinus Saronicus, which they call Cheronese or Piguiade: and in this last they did worship Esculapius.

[ II] But to come vnto that whereof we meane to make mention, it is scituated in Sclauo∣nia, ••hich is the ancient Dalmatia, & which tooke the last name from the Sclauons, who in the time of the Emperor Iustinian the first, being come out of Sarmatia, past the riuer of Danubius, and then a part of them fell vpon Macedonie, and the other vpon Thrace. Afterwards in the time of the Emperor Maurice who died in the yere 602, and of Phocas his successor, they made themselues maisters of Dalmatia. It is true that at this day the name of Sclauonia extends from the riuer of Arse vnto that of Drin, being in length [ C] from one riuer to another about foure hundred and eightie miles, and in breadth from the mountaines of Croatia vnto the sea, about one hundred and twentie. It lies betwixt the middest of the first Climat, neere vnto the thirteenth Parallel, and the middest of the sixt, whereas the longest day in Summer is but fifteene houres and a halfe; the most Easterly Meridian passeth the six and fortieth degree, and the most Westerly the six and thirtieth. Finally, the sea which is betwixt Italie and the end of Sclauonia, is called the Adriaticke, and runs for the space of six hundred miles; the greatest breadth is of two hundred miles, & the least of one hundred and fiftie, and that at the mouth of sixtie: but the rest which doth wash Albania and Macedonie, is called the Ionian sea. One part of this countrie obeies the seigneurie of Venice, another the Archdukes of Austira, and [ D] the rest the Turke. The chiefe townes are Flamona, Segne, Hone, Zara (for the which the Venetians and Hongarians haue continuall war) Sebenic, and Spalata. But the best town of all Sclauonia is Ragouse, which maintaines it selfe in libertie, paying fourteene thousand zequins vnto the Turke, and spending as much more in presents, and lodging of Turkes. This commonweale hath a small territorie vpon the firme land, but it hath vn∣der it certaine small Islands which are reasonably good, lying betwixt Curzole, and the gulfe of Ca••taro.

[ III] The auncient towne of Epidaurum was in the same place, which at this day they call old Ragouse. But the Gothes hauing seised vpon Italie, & by the same meanes of a great part of Sclauonia, and amongst others of Epidaurum, rased it quite: by reason whereof [ E] the inhabitants who knew not whither to retire themselues, began to build new Ragouse as we see it at this day, of the ruines of the old towne. This towne is very well inhabi∣ted, and in an excellent scituation vpon the sea: it is full of fountaines and fresh water, which haue beene drawne thither from the neighbour mountaines to the great benefit of them of the countrie. It hath a little port made by art, which is reasonably commo∣dious of the one side, and there is a very high steepe mountaine, at the foot whereof the towne is built. They possesse about their towne a very small territorie, but they haue vn∣der their obedience diuers little pleasant. Islands, among others that of Langoste, whose forme is like vnto an Amphitheatre.

¶ The Qualitie. [ F]

[ IIII] THe soile is by nature barren; but the Ragousans bestow so much labour and indu∣strie to make it good, as it yeelds them oyle, wine and excellent fruits. There is a

••••••taine valley whereas in winter there gathers together such aboundance of wa••e••, as it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lake, the which doth nourish fish which growes so fat, as they frie it without any oy••••. In the spring time the waters drying vp, they sow corne in the same place, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grows aboundantly, so as one place yeelds them fish and corne in one yere. More∣•••••••• ••••ey vse diuers industries by sea, and among others they make their ••rees bring them 〈◊〉〈◊〉: for they bend downe the bowes of their trees, and stay them vnder the water 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ones; so as in two yeare there are so may oysters fastened to these branches, as it ••••••••ge to see: then the third yeare they are in a manner good to eat.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••pon the sea is the Island of Grauosa, which is a verie pleasant place, and full of gar∣•••••• [ V] of Orange trees, Lymons, and Pomegran••ts. The chiefe riuers are Saue, and Drau∣•••••• Island of Languste is inuironed round about with verie high mountaines, in which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ragousans farmes, and in the middest there is a goodly plain, which yeelds great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Oliues and Grapes. Neere vnto it, they haue a good fishing for Sprats.

¶ The Manners of the Auncient.

He Inhabitants of this countrie were in old time cruell and barbarous, and were con∣••••••inually [ VI] giuen to Piracie. Florus writes of them, That in the first warre against the ••••••haginians, in the time of Queene Teure, they were not content to robbe and spoyle, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ey did practise all kind of wickednesse. They were the Sclauons which cut off the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Roman embassadours, and burnt them which gouerned their ships: And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which did increase the Romans disgrace, was, That these people were then gouerned ••••••man: For Procopius faith also, That the Sclauons (a people of Scythia) did enter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into these countries in the time of Iustinian, and in the end stayed there; so as ••••••••cient Inhabitants did partly imbrace the manners of these strangers newly come. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••i••ius calls this nation Fierce, and giuen to spoyle at sea: and therefore the Romans 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••wayes Legions in this countrie, as well for other occasions, as to bridle the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••mour of this people.

¶ The Manners at this day.

Hey of Ragouse let their haire grow from the middle part of the head vpward, and [ VII] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shaue the rest, quite contrarie to the manner of the Hongarians. The women weare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 long haire, and they make it blacke by art. All liue equally, without any great ••••••onies, for that they vse no such reuerences as we doe, neither doe they put off their ••••••ut salute one another simplie, either by word, or by some action which discouers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ntention. They loue equalitie exceedingly, so as they haue a law, by the which no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may be bishop of Ragouse, to the end, that not any one amongst them shall haue ••ny greater preheminence in their Commonweale, than that which is allowed them by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lawes.

They go diuersly attired; for the yonger sort fashion themselues after the Florentin ••••••ner, others carrie cloaks, and the most auncient great sleeues, like vnto the Senators of ••enice, and it is forbidden for any man to weare garments of silke, except the Rector of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Commonweale, the Doctors, and Knights. In Sommer, when it is verie hot, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cassocks of single taffa••a. There is the like restraint for womens apparrell, for that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may not weare any thing but cloth during their liues, but when a maiden marries, it ••••••full for her to weare silke during a whole moneth. There is also something betwixt ••••••en, which shews the difference of their qualities; for on festiuall dayes, the gentle∣••••••en are accustomed to weare a hood of cloth, lined with red sandall, which they are ••••und to weare after they are married. Moreouer, they weare taunie, red, or blew cloth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are allowed to haue sleeues of silke at their pleasure.

As for marriages, they are accustomed to allie themselues onely to persons of their [ VIII] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 condition, that is to say, gentlemen with gentlewomen, and a gentleman may not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Bourgesse or a stranger, to the end he bring not into his race a bloud that is lesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉, corrupting his auncient gentrie; whereby the families are so decreased, as there

are not aboue foure and twentie that gouerne, for that the houses sayling (as all things [ A] doe) and the gentlemen not allying themselues with any citisens or strangers, these hou∣ses are in time growne to a small number.

It is true, that if a gentleman for any priuat respect, or commoditie, take a wise which is not of the countrie, he may doe it, so as she be a gentlewoman of that countrie which lies betwixt Zara and Cattaro, and not otherwise: but whosoeuer takes a straunger to wife (as we haue said) he must haue at the least the worth of one thousand duckats of gold for the dowry of this wife; but yet it is not much obserued. And wheras mariages are limited by the law to one thousand duckats of gold; yet at this day they exceed it more, so as some father will giue three, foure, fiue, and six thousand duckats, yea more, accor∣ding [ B] to his meanes, and the qualitie of his daughter. They pay the marriage money be∣fore the future husband see his wife, and then whenas the contract is written, and all other ceremonies performed, he goes to her house to see her: For it is their custome, not to court a woman before they haue married her, according to the order prescribed by the Romish Church.

[ IX] As for their language, all the yong men most commonly vnderstand the Italian, which they call Franc: but amongst themselues they onely vse the Sclauon Tongue. Many of them are giuen to learning, & therefore the Commonweale of Ragouse doth commonly entertaine a Reader with great sees, who reads vnto young men, hauing three or foure Regents. They doe also draw yearely a good Preacher vnto them, who preacheth onely [ C] vnto men, for that he speakes Italian, and the women vnderstand not the language.

Besides these physitians for the soule, the Commonweale doth entertaine men for the health of the body, that is to say, two Physitians and two Chirurgians, with great wa∣ges: these men are bound to visit all sicke persons, without any see, especially the poore, and to doe whatsoeuer is necessarie, according to their profession, for the health of the citisens.

¶ The Riches.

[ X] IT is not the countrie about Ragouse that makes them rich, for that it is scarce able to maintaine them, notwithstanding that they liue verie sparingly. Their greatest wealth [ D] grows by their great trafficke; for that they haue many good ships with the which they go into diuers parts, and get much by their trade. They reape a great benefit, for that in regard of the 14000 Zequins which they giue yearely vnto the Turke, they are free and exempt from all impositions and customes throughout all the great Turkes empire. But we may not therefore conclude, that this Commonweale is verie rich, for that with∣out the Turkes support, it had beene often in prey to many, especially to the Venetians, and it would be much troubled if it were to make any great expence to entertaine soul∣diers for any long time.

¶ The Forces. [ E]

[ XI] THe want of great commodities is the cause why they of Ragouse can haue no great forces, and if they subsist, it is by reason of the support whereof I haue spoken. Their towne is reasonably well fortified; but besides that it is at the foot of a mountain which commaunds it, it cannot long indure a great siege. As for the souldiers, they entertaine few, hauing onely one hundred Hongarians for their guard, with a Captaine: but the Commonweale doth rather imploy these for execution of affaires, than for any other necessarie thing; for that these men respect no persons, and for this cause doe all that is commaunded them, and are verie faithfull, like vnto the Suisses, whom Princes doe vse for the guard of their persons. They haue also the castle of S. Laurence without the town, [ F] which is reasonably good, and the new fort towards the port, which is on the East side. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all these things are of no great consideration, onely good to resist them that will not b•• ••••••tinat at an enterprise.

[ A] ¶ The Gouernment.

RAgouse hath not beene alwaies a commonweale, for that it hath obaied diuers lords [ XII] a•• diuers times, sometimes Gretians, sometimes Albanians. But since it hath imbra∣•••••• kind of gouernment, they haue been in some reputation. The Ragousans when∣•••••• sought to reduce the towne to a commonweale, they followed for the most part th•• ••rder of the State of Venice. Being thus resolued, they first instituted a great Coun∣••••••, knowing that it was the foundation of a commonweale, & as it were the f••rme basis o•• groundworke of their citie. All gentlemen of the citie enter into this Councell, ha∣uing [ B] attained to the age of twentie yeares, and they are admitted, prouing their gentrie. In this Councell they create all the magistrats of the citie, the which are such as I will se••••owne.

There are first the Pregadi, which should be commonly sixtie, all gentlemen: but it sel∣••••me [ XIII] happens that this magistrat hath a number compleat. There may be many gentle∣••••n of one familie; for that as I haue said, the families in time are reduced into a small ••••••ber. These haue charge of the affaires of the commonweale, and do also judge of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 causes, by appeale, vnder three hundred duckats: they also judge of criminall cau∣•••••• ••hich are of importance in regard of the persons, as if any gentleman be accused, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 committed any crime. They continue a yeare in this charge, and they are changed [ C] they are void, for that they are not all created at one instant, but one after another as t••ey end; and they may be reconfirmed.

The pettie Councell (so called in regard of the great) is the councell of the Rector, which is composed of eleuen persons, all of diuers families; who assist the Rector, or head [ XIIII] of t••••s commonweale. They receiue and heare the petitions and demaunds of stran∣•••••• and of priuat men, the letters, the embassadours, and such like; and are as it were a ••••and which presents vnto other magistrats the things which come before them, and whi•••• goe afterwards according to their qualitie to offices appointed for such matters. And these in regard of those things which are presented vnto them, decide some, and ••••••ort the rest vnto the Pregadi. They continue but one yeare in this charge, and go [ D] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 altogether, and the other eleuen which are created by the great Councell, enter al∣••••••ther into this new office with the new Rector, the first day of Ianuarie.

This Rector who is the head of all the Councells, is chosen in the great Councell by [ XV] three kinds of election, as they do in all other offices; & of these elections of all offices, the one is made by way of scrutinie (the which I haue expounded, speaking of the ele∣c•••••• of Popes) by three Councellors of the Rector, and the two others are made by lot. The Rector remaineth but one moneth in charge, and he is bound during that mo∣neth to liue in the palace. He weares the habit of a duke, that is to say, a Robe with open sleeues, and different from others, by reason of his authoritie. They giue seuen duckats a moneth for his entertainement, and no more. It is true when he is one of the Pregadi, in [ E] regard of appellations he hath a duckat euery day to assist.

This Rector assembles with the Councellors vpon working daies after dinner, and al∣so vpon holie daies, vpon some occasions. He commonly giues the morning to the Pregadi, or to the great Councel, according to occurrents. But if the Rector be not there, the most ancient Councellor enters into his place, yet they dispatch not any thing with∣out his presence. They giue this Rector a Lieutenant, who hath jurisdiction in matters which do not exceed three duckats of gold, and he is his Lieutenant for ciuile matters ••nly, and for no other and: the Councellors cannot be chosen Rectors the yere that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in their magistracie.

Next there are fiue Pourueiors, who are men of fiftie yeares old and vpwards, and [ F] ••••st be of diuers families. They haue authoritie to cause all expeditions made by any [ XVI] M••gistrat whatsoeuer, to be receiued, and they must be present whenas the Councells ••••••emble. These may be made Rectors during their magistracie, and are so commonly. They are of the chiefe of the towne, of great authoritie, and in a manner alwaies of the councell.

[ XVII] After these are the six Consuls which heare ciuile causes, in the first instance, for any [ A] summe whatsoeuer. They are most commonly men of great authoritie, and which enter into councell with the Pregadi, and they do often frame the processe of such things as they judge. The parties are not accustomed to make allegations, as they doe in many places: but these Consuls hearing the matter in question, determine what justice re∣quires, and draw from euery cause two duckats in the hundred. They cannot be Rectors for the space of two yeares, least they should alter their proceedings in ciuile causes, and to the end the people might haue meanes to be soone dispatched in their suits, for that they do continually attend them.

[ XVIII] There are also fiue criminall Iudges, and expeditions go from them according to the [ B] judgements which they make. It it true that gentlemen are excepted, for that in criminall causes they go before the Pregadi, and they that haue fees of the commonweale aun∣swer before the pettie Counsell. And there are sometimes other causes which these fiue doe not judge, for that the Pregadi doe thinke it fit to take knowledge thereof. These Iudges, for that they are not commonly much imployed, are made Rectors, as the Pour∣ueiors be.

[ XIX] There are moreouer three officers vpon the art of wooll, these do commonly heare the differences that grow betwixt men which exercise that trade. They enter into the number of the Pregadi, and may also be made Rectors.

[ XX] This commonweale hath also a Colledge of thirtie, into the which there may enter [ C] many persons of one familie. They take knowledge of appellations vnto the summe of three hundred duckats, and euery one of them hath three duckats a yere for their wages, the which is done for that all the officers of the towne are finable if they do not attend their charges; for otherwise they would not accept them, for that they are of small pro∣fit. When any office falls void, it is supplied by one of them that is in some other office. As for this colledge it hath charge of no other things but to take knowledge of appel∣lations, as I haue said. And as for the Pregadi, if any dies, they supplie his place by one of the Pourueior••, or of this Colledge.

[ XXI] It hath also fiue men which haue a care of health, whose charge is to looke vnto the health of the citie, and therefore they are called Pourueiors of the health. Their autho∣ritie [ D] is great, for that they may punish them that offend, and that do infringe the orders of this office, and they are very like vnto the Pourueiors of health at Venice: and they may be Rectors during the time of their charge.

[ XXII] There are foure men created for their customes, who haue care of matters belonging to that office, and demaund the money which is due for customes, and do all things that belong vnto that businesse.

[ XXIII] There are also two Chamberlaines who receiue the money that is laid vp in their cof∣fers, yet they haue not the mannaging of the publicke treasure, and their money is im∣ployed in some occurrents of the commonweale, and at the pleasure of those that haue the charge thereof. [ E]

[ XXIIII] They haue three Treasurers, who are commonly men of great authoritie, as well for their wealth, as for their good life. These haue the publicke treasure in their hands, and moreouer orphants money which is left in Gard with them. They remaine fiue yeres in this office, and may be made Rectors, and most commonly the Rectors haue beene Trea∣surers.

There are in like manner Iustices, who haue a care that all things may be well ordered concerning victualls, and looke that the waights and measures and other instruments of merchants & trades men be iust, according to the lawes: and in their office the arts which are subiect vnto them are marked.

[ XXV] And for that they haue a little Arcenall in their towne according to their forces, they haue a Magistracie called the Officers of the armie: these haue care of this Arcenall, and [ F] prouide for the munitions both by sea and land. They are young men who haue sur∣ueyors or ouerseers of greater experience ouer them, and they are made from time to time, according as occasions are offered.

[ A] Moreouer, they bring wheat to Ragouse from other places, the which is done at the [ XXVI] publique charge. There are therefore two officers which haue charge thereof, and sell this ••ome for the Commonweale.

The reuenues of them of Ragouse consist for the most part in wine, and therefore they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••rected three officers vpon the counterbands, & these men haue charge to dispatch 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whenas they are made for wine, and there is a great punishment ordayned for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that shall infringe them, for that the law prohibits the bringing in of any for∣••••dden wines.

There are some also which haue the care of the citie streets, and of publique places, [] c••••sing the wayes, market-places, and such like to be repayred, according to necessitie, •••• these are young men, for that they are no offices of any great importance.

There are also six Captaines of the night, who one after another haue the guard of the [ XXVII] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the night time, with the Hongarians, who are about one hundred, with their Captaines, and they obey these, who open and shut the gates of the citie. They remaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moneths in this charge, and they obserue this order, that they which shut the citie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at night, doe not open them in the morning, for that they change them at 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

••hey haue a Secretarie whom they call Notarie, who is present in all their secret af∣•••••••• [ XXVIII] There is also another who hath the same tytle, but he takes knowledge of secrets [] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 import the Commonweale. And these two Secretaries serue to write letters vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 currents, and they also execute the office of publique Notaries.

••••••ides the abouenamed, there are three Chancellors, who serue the Consulls, and in [ XXIX] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••auses, and they make instruments: There is one also vnder the Iudge criminall, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like office.

••••••rie night they send a Captaine to the castle of S. Laurence, which is without the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and he hath no entertainement, but is forced to doe it. They doe also send 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the New Fort, and these go by order, and they are commonly young men: but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any one hath past fortie yeares, he is f••eed from this subiection.

The Captaines and Earles, which go into gouernements abroad throughout the [ XXX] [] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this Commonweale, are all created by the great Councell, and some of them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in charge seuen moneths, and others twelue.

¶ The Religion.

THese people are all Romanists. The citie hath a Bishop, who doth make his ordina∣••ie [ XXXI] aboad there. There are three Procurators or Ouerseers of the Cathedral Church, ••ho haue care of the chiefe Church, and the gouernement of the reliques which are ••••ere, for that there are verie many which are inriched with gold, siluer, and pretious ••••ones. These procurators continue in their charge during their liues, & may be Rectors, [ E] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 e••ter into other magistracies, as of Councellors, Treasurers, and other officers.